Carlo Ancelotti (Reggiolo, 1959) ended his time as Real Madrid manager last summer. He did so as the most successful manager in the club’s history, leaving behind an indelible legacy. However, one of the few challenges that “Carlette” had not yet faced in his legendary career was awaiting him – coaching the national team. Brazil insisted and persuaded him to play in their long-awaited sixth World Cup.
To celebrate Radio MARCA’s 25th anniversary, the sports radio station visited the CBF headquarters to recognize the Italian coach’s career. During the interview, Ancelotti spoke about his first months in Brazil, his relationship with Real Madrid, his contact with the club’s players, the evolution of football in recent decades and his views on players such as Vinicius and Valverde.
Thank you for opening the door to your new home. It’s more colorful than Valdebebas, and the spirit of Brazil is very different from that of Madrid.
The office in Valdebebas was bigger, but different. There’s a lot of color here and a lot of joy.
If you leave Madrid after winning the Champions League, you can only come to Brazil.
Yes, I think so. There was no thought of going to another club after Madrid. Two years ago I got a chance to play with the Brazilian national team, and then I renewed my contract with Madrid, but last year I thought it was time to leave, but now I’m happy.
You look nice, you look even more handsome.
yes.
I don’t know if it will make me worry less, but…
It’s definitely less stressful.
A. Has your stress decreased?
There are only a few games, so it’s a low-stress job and all you have to do is observe. I don’t have to prepare for training every day, I have another job and I need more rest, but it’s an interesting job and I have to watch the players…Brazil has at least 70 players for the national team and it’s not so simple to evaluate them all.
But in two months people will be asking for season 6…
They’ve been asking for it for a long time. This is not only a goal, but also a motivation.
Winning the World Cup with Brazil is not a goal, it’s a motivation
Is that pressure noticeable on the streets and in your daily life?
R. People are very welcoming to me here. I am very respected and very loved. The atmosphere in Brazil is a soccer environment, very passionate and people are very close to soccer. They are happy, cheerful and good people.
Did you have any doubts before signing with the Brazilian national team?
I didn’t hesitate. Truth be told, this old Brazilian school has had some reactions to foreign coaches, but like I said, the reception from everyone has been great. I have very good relationships with the coaches who work here, for example in Palmeiras, Flamengo and Bahia. Most of them are in Europe, but some of them play here, so I often talk to them because I think they can help me find players.
The headquarters of the CBF is like Valdebebas, where legends and legends welcome you. Claudio Branco welcomed us.
It’s very similar, but history is very important. In Madrid, history is written every day in Valdebebas. You can see Di Stefano, Puskas, Sergio Ramos, Casillas and Ronaldo. It’s the same here, Pele is in this house every day, just like Zico, Romario and all the great legends of Brazilian football.
Question: You’ve coached some of the best players in the world, and as far as Brazilians are concerned, there’s a team that won the World Cup.
yes. I was able to put Dida in the goal. Cafu on the right, Militao or Thiago Silva as central defender, and Marcelo on the left. In the middle is Casemiro, Kaka…I’m sure I’ll forget some of them. Rodrygo on the right or wherever he wants, Vinicius on the left and up front there are many doubts: Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho… there are many.
You are now on the verge of being confirmed on the World Cup roster.
It is not easy to make a list, because there are many options, especially in attacks. Although there are fewer players in midfield and on the flanks, there is a possibility that players will be selected to participate in upcoming friendlies and the World Cup.
I came to commemorate Radio MARCA’s 25th anniversary. Remember what you were doing in 2001?
R. In 2001 I was kicked out of Juventus and was on vacation waiting for Milan.
Was that stage one of the most educational for you?
It’s common for coaches to be fired here. You can be fired even if you are doing a good job. It affected me personally, because the first time I was laid off, it affected me even more. The last time was in Naples in 2020, and I see that as part of the job. If you lose faith in the club, you have to leave.
Has soccer changed much in the last 25 years?
A lot has changed. It’s amazing how much has changed.
Good or bad?
I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. There has definitely been an improvement on the environmental level. Technology has allowed for better stadiums, better pitches and better refereeing. The intensity has increased, but increased intensity doesn’t necessarily mean more spectacle. I think it’s harder for talent to show themselves today than it was 20 years ago.
Is there anything you miss about Madrid and Real Madrid?
I live quietly because each moment has a stage. I have great memories from a very long time at Madrid and an extraordinary love for the club and the people who work there. Now I am involved in another project and am working on it with the same enthusiasm. When Madrid play, I watch not only to watch the Brazilians, but also to watch Madrid and help them win.
Do you use the phone to talk to people in Madrid?
Yes, sometimes. After the match against Manchester City, I congratulated the club and the president. I also talk to the players. I spoke to Rodrigo the other day to check on him. Yes, I have been contacted.
He congratulated Florentino in the match against City and also spoke to the players
Do you understand why that perfect Madrid team has changed so much since then?
A few things change in football and that changes the chemistry. It’s not just on an environmental level, and it’s not just replacing Kroos with Mbappé. That same year, Nacho left, Carvajal was injured and Modric played less. The old generation that created a great atmosphere in the dressing room is no longer there and we need a new generation of footballers to come in and bring character, character and example. It doesn’t happen with a click, it takes time. Mbappe’s arrival coincided with the departure of two important players, Kroos and Nacho, and the circumstances were different. Although Mbappé did well, scoring around 50 goals, the team struggled to win the title, as soccer is all about the details and changing something doesn’t always lead to success.
Now we have to do the opposite of what Brazil did. Brazil has tried different coaches and now they need to deliver.
Yes, absolutely. Difficulties must motivate you to do better. I feel that the environment is in place to win. It’s true that there’s a lot of pressure, but there’s also an incredible love for the national team. Here, when the national team plays, everything stops and it’s not like in Europe. In Europe, I think the strength of the national teams is diminished due to the calendar of competitions like the Champions League. In Brazil, the most important team is the national team and it is very special for the players to wear the jersey. That’s a good thing, but it’s also true that the pressure is too much for football players. Any mistakes made in this friendly match will be punished, so I will try not to put too much pressure on them.
You have always been very fond of proverbs.
R. Yes, I like it.
There is a saying that haste is a bad advisor.
R. There is another word that I really like. “Hard work and sacrifice trump talent only if talent is accompanied by hard work and sacrifice.”
Do you think the Brazilians in Madrid are much different than they were in the national team? Are Vinicius, Rodrigo and Militao the same?
What changed was the atmosphere in the dressing room. The club has players of different nationalities, but there are 25 Brazilians here with the same language and culture. Communication becomes more direct and continuous. The challenge for clubs is to incorporate all of this and there is a tendency for groups to separate, which is completely normal.
Can Vinicius conquer world football again?
Vinicius has never failed in an important match. I don’t remember any semi-finals or quarter-finals where Bini failed. Vinicius may have been sent off in anger against Valencia, but he was never sent off in an important game. I’m sure it would be a great World Cup with him in the squad.
Did this stage help you understand him better?
He is Brazilian and has a Brazilian personality. This Brazilian is a joyful and very humble person. There is still no arrogant person in CBF or among the Brazilians I know. Vinicius is humble, fun and exceptionally talented.
Heading into the match in Manchester…will Real Madrid win?
Yes, it will happen. We have to defend well and maintain balance.
Balance is your favorite word.
A. That’s ideal. They will need it for Valverde to play.
Were you surprised by Valverde’s game? Were you surprised?
No, it wasn’t a surprise, that’s why I kept my coaching license… But the three goals were a surprise, it was unbelievable. I sent him a message.
what did he say to you?
A. I said, “It’s too bad I don’t have a Brazilian passport.”
